Ice cream, You scream, We all scream for...Boardwalk Delight!

Hello, blog! I took a bit of an unintended hiatus, but what better reason to get back on here than NATIONAL SEWING MONTH! And I'll tell you what, I have been sewing ALL month long for a very good reason.  Although, truth be told, I don't need a reason at all to hop on a sewing machine, especially my fancy Babylocks. ;)

My all-talented friend, Dana, released her first fabric line earlier this year, Boardwalk Delight, and she sent me a big ol' stack to play with!

So, fun, right?!

Since it's my no-new-clothes year, I told her I wanted to make something for all my kids, and we both laughed at how crazy I am.  Then I began working my way through her bright, playful patterned fabric! I think I managed to use all the prints, except for the sprinkle print, which I'm sad about--how did I miss that one?!

These prints are much bolder than I normally use, so it was fun to do something so different.

Dana also not only had her patterns printed on quilter's weight woven cotton, but there are also knits and canvas, something for everyone. 

Olive has been asking for overalls for ages, so I used the canvas weight for a pair and they worked perfectly! I found the overall clasps with the matching star grommets at Hobby Lobby under their Sewology brand, and they also seemed to be the most inexpensive.

It was hard for the kids not to be able to wear their clothes as I finished them, especially Drummer who declared his pajamas the most comfy thing ever. Haha!

Lowdown on the patterns I used, from left to right: Drummers Pajamas--Ottobre Issue 6/2013, Olive's Overalls--Ottobre Issue 3/2014, Olive's shirt--Ottobre Issue 6/2015, Clover's dress--Ottobre Issue 1/2013, Pearl's tunic--Ottobre Issue 4/2010, Pearl's pants--MIA, still looking for that one!, Azure's dress--Ottobre Issue 1/2015, Divine's shirt--Ottobre Issue 4/2013, Divine's skirt--self drafted.

As you can see, I got some good use out of my Ottobre issues! What they lack in pictorial instructions, they make up in quality patterns. ;) I only had 2 issues when I couldn't figure out what they wanted me to do, but that might also have been those couple of nights where I stayed up to 3 or 4 in the morning and instructions for brushing my teeth would have been indecipherable. 

I don't usually utilize the decorative stitches on my sewing machines, but I had so much fun going through the options on my Babylock Crescendo when deciding what to do for the pocket and back detail pleats.  I might have "wasted" quite a bit of time experimenting. ;) I think they add the perfect touch when used judiciously. 

And Pearl really lucked out in the pocket department with pockets on her tunic AND her pants.  She's all about comfort and utility. ;)

I loved the detail on Azure's dress.  Using Dana's fun contrasting and coordinating fabric, it gave it the perfect touch, like a giant scoop of ice cream! 

I also altered the pattern to include an exposed zipper, because more is more in this case, right?!

Also.  I deserve an award and ceremony for the amount of buttonholes and buttons I sewed. Or a certificate of achievement at the very least.  It was close to 40, and most of them are glass. 

Some came from Korea when we visited my parents there many years ago.  Surprisingly enough, I wanted to do just plain, white, plastic buttons on Divine's shirt so she could wear it with anything, and I didn't have any.  What.  Oh, well. I guess that's a good problem to have...too many exotic, fancy buttons. Haha!

I was telling Ryan that I enjoy Ottobre patterns because they don't dumb down patterns like so many pattern companies do.  I don't mind a few extra pattern pieces to achieve a professionally looking article, like these overalls. 

And I couldn't leave Scout out, of course.  Some might argue that I should have sewn her some pants or perhaps a skirt after the latest clip I gave her, but I think she's enjoying her new air conditioned bottom. ;)

Thanks for letting me play with your fun fabric, Dana! They really are a delight!  (The kids thank you, too!)